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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more| .
How we produce our information|
Further general information on what cancer is, the common types of cancer and how it develops is available in the About cancer| section of the site. The information given below is related to work and cancer:
Depending on the type of cancer and its position in the body, you may have symptoms such as tiredness, weight loss, breathlessness or pain. These may affect your ability to work.
It can help you to plan if you find out as much as possible about your cancer, including its likely effects and its treatment, and whether these may make it difficult for you to work.
Your GP will be able to give general advice and support, while your doctors and the healthcare staff at your hospital can give you more detailed information.
It often helps to have someone else with you, to help you remember what you want to ask, and to write things down. You can also find information about your type of cancer from:
These questions can help you find out how the cancer and its treatment may affect your ability to work.
Many people find it helps to keep all their health information together. The NHS website has a secure place where you can store all your electronic health information. You can access it at www.healthspace.nhs.uk|
You may find that doctors can’t answer your questions fully, or that their answers sound vague. The cancer specialists (surgeons and oncologists) at the hospital know approximately how many people will benefit from particular treatments. They can often give some idea of whether your cancer is likely to be cured or whether it’s very likely to come back after treatment.
However, it’s usually impossible for them to say for certain whether the cancer can be cured or not in your particular case, as everyone is individual and responds to treatment differently.
Many people find this uncertainty hard to live with. It can also make it difficult to know whether, or how much, you will be able to work in the future.
It’s a good idea to contact your line manager early on, if you feel comfortable doing this, to talk about the effect that your cancer may have on your ability to work. If your manager is aware of the potential effects, they will be able to support you better.
If your workplace has an occupational health adviser, or a human resources (personnel) department, it can help to contact them as well. They will keep all information confidential if you ask them to.
It’s natural to have a range of feelings and emotions| when you have been diagnosed with cancer. Your emotions may make it difficult for you to concentrate or work effectively. You may need to take some time off to adjust to what is happening.
If you are off sick for more than seven days in a row (including the weekend), you’ll need to get a doctor’s certificate signing you off from work. Most employers will be sympathetic to this.
It can be difficult to talk to your manager – or the occupational health or human resources staff – about your situation. But if you do, they will be able to support you better.
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If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.
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